Cultural Activities in Dresden, Germany

Dresden has a wide variety of world-renowned cultural activities and events. Historically significant churches, museams bursting with treaures, orchestras that tour the world, and palaces and castles that display the splendour of ages past.

Historical Churches in Dresden

Frauenkirche

The Church of Our Lady was destroyed in the bombing of 1945, the mound of rubble was an anti-war monument until 1992. Now the church is being rebuilt with donations from Germany and International groups. Much of the stone is from the original building. A dedication ceremony is planned for October 2005. View the Dresden skyline by climbing the tower.

Tours: Guided English tours are available by calling 0351 498 11 31. Climb the tower to see a beautiful view of Dresden.

Concerts: You can find the concert schedule online by going to Events and choosing Concerts from the left column. You can inquire about tickets by calling 0351 656 06 80.

Address: An der Frauenkirche 12, 01067 Dresden
Phone: 0351 498 11 10
Tram Stop: # 2,3, 4,7 & 42 Pirnaischer Platz
www.frauenkirche-dresden.org - website in English

Friends of Dresden: An American organization dedicated to the reconstruction, restoration and preservation of Frauenkirche & Dresden's artistic & architectural legacy.

Hofkirche

The former Catholic Royal Chapel was built by August the Strong after he converted to Catholicism in order to become the King of Poland. The coffins of the Wettin Dynasty as well as the heart of August the Strong are on view in the Crypts. View the Dresden skyline by climbing the tower. Organ recital every Wednesday at 11:45. Organ vespers every Saturday, May to Oct at 16:00.

Address: Schloßplatz 1, 01069 Dresden
Phone: 351 49 55 135
Tram Stop: # 2,3, 4,7 & 42 Pirnaischer Platz
Hours: Mon - Thur: 9:00-17:00; Fri - 13:00 - 17:00; Sat - 10:30 - 16:00; Sun -12:00 - 16:00

Kreuzkirche

The Dresden Church of the Holy Cross is Dresden's chief Protestant church and home to the world famous all boys choir. View the Dresden skyline by climbing the tower.

www.dresdner-kreuzkirche.de - website in English. Read about the church's history and concert ticket price information. Tickets are only sold at the church the night of the performance.

www.kreuzchor.de - Dresdner Kreuzchor is the 150 member boys' choir. You can learn more about their history and concert schedule on their English website. Look for the Concert Timetables link at the bottom of the page for current events.

Address: Kreuzstraße 7, 01067 Dresden
Phone: 0351 49 23 35 1
Tram Stop: Postplatz
Admission: 1,50 € for Adults, 4,00 € for a family ticket.
Hours: Mon - Sat: 10:00 - 16:00; Sun - 11:00 - 16:00

Dresden Museums and Art Collections

Dresden Museum Passes
Family Day tickets: 20€
Individual day tickets: 10€
Annual pass: 20€
Many museums feature discounts for families, students and groups. Inquire at each museum.

Dresden State Art Collections website in English. Everything you need to know about visiting the twelve museums that represent Dresden's premier collections.

Zwinger Museum Complex

Contains the Old Masters Gallery, Armoury, Porcelain Collection & Mathematisch-Physikalischer Salon,

Address: Theaterplatz 1, Dresden
Phone: 0351 4 91 42 000
Guided Tour information: 0351 4 91 42 000
Tram Stop: Theaterplatz for the north entrance, Postplatz at the southern entrance.
Hours: 10:00. to 18:00., closed Mondays

Old Masters Picture Gallery - Italian Renaissance, Dutch & Flemish masterpieces by Raphael, Titian, Vermeer and more.

Rüstkammer - State armoury features collections of helmets, shields and armour, swords, lances and bows of Germany's medieval military history.

Porcelain Collection - August the Strong's 20,000 piece collection of Chinese, Japanese and Meissen porcelain

Mathematisch-Physikalischer Salon - a world-famous collection of historical timepieces and scientific instruments.

The Green Vault

Contains the treasures of August the Strong and is one of the most famous collections in Europe.

Enter the Royal Palace from Sophienstrasse, opposite Taschenberg Palais.
Hours: 10:00 - 18:00, closed Tuesdays.
Phone: 0351 4 91 42 000
Admission: 6€

Saxon Folk Art Museum

Saxon crafts such as dishes, furniture, baskets and traditional Saxon and Sorbian costumes. Specials exhibits at Easter & Christmas.

Address: Jägerhof, Köpckestrasse 1
Phone: 0351 4 91 42 000
Hours: 10:00 - 18:00 closed Mondays
Admission: 3€

Stadtmuseum Dresden (City Museum)

Local history, art and culture exhibits.
Address: Wilsdruffer Straße 2, 01067 Dresden
Phone: 0351 49 86 60
Hours: Sat - Thur - 10:00 - 18:00

Landesmuseum für Vorgeschichte

Museum of Prehistory explores the early history of Saxony and includes the region's most important archaeological discoveries.
Address: Japanisches Palais, 01097 Dresden
Phone: 0351 49 52 50 3
Hours: Tues - Sun 10:00 - 18:00

Military History Museum

Over 6,000 exhibits of how the German military developed over the centuries.
Address: Olbrichtplatz 3, 01099 Dresden
Phone: 0351 82 30
Hours: Tues - Sun - 9:00 - 17:00

Albertinum

Home to Gemäldegalerie art gallery, the Sculpture Collection, the Coin Collection and the Crown Jewels.
Address: Brühlsche Terrasse, 01067 Dresden
Phone: 0351 4914 622
Admission: 4€
Hours: Fri - Tue 10:00 - 18:00

Dresden Orchestra, Ballet and Concerts

Concerts are held at the Palace in the Großen Garten & the Zwinger courtyard. Click here to view the schedule and buy tickets online through www.tickets.com

Search for American musical artists on tour at www.sz-ticketservice.de website. Also search for tickets to sporting events and concerts in Dresden. View all events in Dresden by typing the city name in the Suche (search) box.

Saxon State Opera & Ballet Dresden - Performs in the Semperoper
(Semper Opera ), one of the most important theatres of the 19th century, it was virtually destroyed in the bombing and was not rebuilt until 1985.

Address: Theaterplatz 2, 01067 Dresden
Ticket Hotline: 0351 49 11 705
Tram Stop: Theaterplatz
Tickets can be purchased at the Opera 30 minutes before a performance if any are available.

Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra & Choir - First formed in 1870, Brahms, Tschaikovsky, and Strauss are among the famous name associated with the orchestra.

Read about the Orchestra & four Choirs, find concert schedules & purchase tickets on their English language website . Buy tickets in person at the Kulturpalast (Culture Palace) near Altmarkt.

Kulturpalast Ticket Centre
Schlossstrasse 2
Phone: 0351 4 86 62 50
Phone: 0351 4866 306
Tram Stop: Altmarkt
Hours: Mon - Fri 10:00 - 19:00; Sat 10:00 - 14:00 (on concert days only)

Royal Palaces of Dresden

Residenzschloss - The former palace of the Saxon royal family. Currently housing the Green Vault, treasures of August the Strong.

Address: Schlossplatz / Enter at Sophienstraße, opposite Taschenbergpalais.
Phone: 0351 491 46 22
Admission to Residenzschloss 2.60 €
Admission to Green Vault €4
Hours: Tues - Sun: 10:00 - 18:00 April - October; Closed Monday

Schloss Pillnitz: Former summer residence of the Saxon royal court and today is the home of the Museum of Decorative Arts. But the main draw is the beautiful gardens and ponds that are perfect for romantic strolls. The grounds also feature a 200 year old Japanese camellia tree.

Pilnitz - southeast of Dresden
Phone: 0351 2 61 32 60
Tram Stop: Bus #83, Pillnitz - Also can be reached by the Steamboat tours.
Admission to grounds is free. Museum is open May - October and is €3